Comparative exploitation exploitation by recreational anglers of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in Lake Eucumbene, New South Wales

Abstract

Exploitation rates of syrnpatric brown trout and rainbow trout in Lake Eucumbene, New South Wales, were estimated from a tagging study. Tag returns were analysed by applying a non-linear regression method. Tag loss was estimated from a concurrent double tagging study using a maximum likelihood method. No significant difference at the 5% level was found between the rates of tag loss of the two species. The annual exploitation rate for rainbow trout was 26.7% (95% confidence interval 24.2- 29.2%) and was significantly less for brown trout, 8.8% (95% confidence interval 4.2-13.5%).